Maona presents: Mapantsula15

Directed by Oliver Schmitz | South Africa | 1988 | 1h 43m | Zulu w/ English subtitles | Starring Thomas Mogotlane, Thembi Mtshali, Peter Sephuma, Marcel Van Heerden, Eugene Majola

A small-time hustler navigating the streets of Soweto finds himself entangled in anti-apartheid protests. When singled out by the local police, he faces a pivotal decision: prioritise personal gain or join the movement against racism. A quintessential example of guerrilla filmmaking, Oliver Schmitz’s 1988 cult-classic crime drama has finally emerged in stunning 4K resolution after years of suppression. Screenings marking the 30th anniversary of South African Freedom.

These screenings will be introduced by Dr Robert Freeman. Robert is a lecturer in English, and affiliate of New College, Oxford. He writes on African film, literary value, and the history of cultural institutions.

Reviews

‘The film starts as a racy gangster melodrama with an unusually pungent low-life city background, then builds inexorably to a moral reckoning, a ferocious, unforgettable denouement.’
Michael Wilmington, The LA Times

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed Maona presents: Mapantsula between May 21, 2024 and May 22, 2024.

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What else is on?

Today (Friday 25th September)

15:30

The Incomer 12A
1h 42m
A man and his sister survive on a remote Scottish island, hunting seabirds and retelling ancestral stories, until a council worker arrives to move them to the mainland. Domhnall Gleeson stars in Louis Paxton's Sundance award-winning comedy.

Book here

18:00

Leviticus 15
1h 28m
Two teenage boys in an isolated Australian town are hunted by an entity that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other. Adrian Chiarella's assured coming-of-age horror confronts religious fanaticism and its cost to queer youth.

Book here

20:15

Late Fame 15
1h 37m
A forgotten poet turned postal worker (Willem Dafoe) is adopted by a circle of young admirers hoping to make him their literary figurehead. A wistful rumination on art and authenticity set in New York City.

Book here


Tomorrow (Saturday 26th September)

15:15

Just an Illusion 12A
1h 59m | French w/ English subtitles
Paris, 1985: 12-year-old Vincent navigates friendship, first love and a fractious family. A heart-warming comedy with strong performances from Louis Garrel and Camille Cottin, set to an infectious 1980s soundtrack.

Book here

18:00

The Incomer 12A
1h 42m
A man and his sister survive on a remote Scottish island, hunting seabirds and retelling ancestral stories, until a council worker arrives to move them to the mainland. Domhnall Gleeson stars in Louis Paxton's Sundance award-winning comedy.

Book here

20:30

Leviticus 15
1h 28m
Two teenage boys in an isolated Australian town are hunted by an entity that takes the form of the person they desire most – each other. Adrian Chiarella's assured coming-of-age horror confronts religious fanaticism and its cost to queer youth.

Book here


Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!